* ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'': This is why Kang the Mad desn't want his Marvelous Dragonfly mass-produced. If there's only one of its kind, it will be the greatest flying craft ever. If there are hundreds just like it, it'll be plain and average. Kang also believes that another invention of his won't work properly until he's named it, so he's rather eccentric... but also ''correct''. [[spoiler:Then again, he is a god of inventions.]]

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or [=AIs=]]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all clones and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

Relatedly, these unique characters will not just be rare, but powerful. Usually "their kind" is already powerful (which may be [[GenocideBackfire why there aren't any more of them left)]], but being their last representative gives the character a power boost much like the InverseNinjaLaw, sort of an inverse of being a SuperPrototype. Although a super prototype is also generally unique in some way compared to the production models, which die easily, so it could go either way.

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Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or [=AIs=]]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all clones and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

TV-show]].

Relatedly, these unique characters will not just be rare, but powerful. Usually "their kind" is already powerful (which may be [[GenocideBackfire why there aren't any more of them left)]], left]]), but being their last representative gives the character a power boost much like the InverseNinjaLaw, sort of an inverse of being a SuperPrototype. Although a super prototype is also generally unique in some way compared to the production models, which die easily, so it could go either way.

Humans value the useful, the aesthetically pleasing, and the rare-- so it is not surprising that we have a deep fascination with characters, races, or objects that are unique. Be it an artifact from a bygone age, a creature that is the LastOfHisKind, or the last knight of an ancient and honorable order. Basically, the more relevant to the story a unique person or object is, the more valuable and worth preserving they are. Friends will fight to protect him, enemies to destroy him, and some even to [[CollectorOfTheStrange possess him.]] Underscoring this is the reverse, that anyone/thing who isn't unique is vastly more expendable.

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Humans value the useful, the aesthetically pleasing, and the rare-- so it is not surprising that we have a deep fascination with characters, races, or objects that are unique. Be it an artifact from a bygone age, a creature that is the LastOfHisKind, or the last knight of an ancient and honorable order. Basically, the more relevant to the story a unique person or object is, the more valuable and worth preserving they are. Friends will fight to protect him, them, enemies to destroy him, them, and some even to [[CollectorOfTheStrange possess him.]] them]]. Underscoring this is the reverse, that anyone/thing who isn't unique is vastly more expendable.

[[folder: Films -- Animation]]* ''WesternAnimation/TheLastUnicorn'' is so very, very precious to all involved because she is the [[LastOfHisKind last of her kind]]. However, after [[spoiler: freeing all the other unicorns]] she remains unique because she's the only one to have ever experienced (and will remember) human emotion.

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[[folder: Films [[folder:Films -- Animation]]* ''WesternAnimation/TheLastUnicorn'' is so very, very precious to all involved because she is the [[LastOfHisKind last of her kind]].LastOfHerKind. However, after [[spoiler: freeing all the other unicorns]] she remains unique because she's the only one to have ever experienced (and will remember) human emotion.

* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2:'' The Bewilderbeast is not the LastOfHisKind, but the species is close to extinction. As a species, they are unique because they are the only kind of dragon that breathes ice.

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* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2:'' ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon2'': The Bewilderbeast is not the LastOfHisKind, but the species is close to extinction. As a species, they are unique because they are the only kind of dragon that breathes ice.

* The {{Memetic|Mutation}} line "Just because you are unique doesn't mean you are useful" coldly subverts this. It's typically written on images of things like a single misshapen fork or screw among some normal useful ones, an axe with a wooden head, or a watering can with the spout aimed back at itself.

* Rewind provides an example of this for ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye''. In the pre-war era, Transformers were ranked and given rights based on the rarity of their alternate mode. Transformers that turned into data storage equipment were the most common and were known as the [[SlaveRace Disposable Class]]. In the present-day, millions of years later there are so few members left and the ones that remain hold so much information, that they are among the few Autobots that can apply for combat exemption.

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* Rewind provides an example of this for ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye''. In the pre-war era, Transformers were ranked and given rights based on the rarity and flexibility of their alternate mode. mode (essentially making UniquenessValue a mathematical rule used to establish social class). Transformers that turned into data storage equipment were the most common and were known as the [[SlaveRace Disposable Class]].Class]]; it's mentioned that, for example, Disposables weren't given access to the high-quality energon. In the present-day, millions of years later there are so few members left and the ones that remain hold so much information, that they are among the few Autobots that can apply for combat exemption.

* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Seers are a type of wizard so rare there is only [[http://egscomics.com/comic/2018-02-02 1 of them for every 7 million humans]]. Even rarer are seers who have used magic of which there are only ''[[http://egscomics.com/comic/2018-01-26 five total]]'' on the planet. Of those five, three of them get the privilege of speaking to the [[SentientCosmicForce Will of Magic]] itself.

* ''Film/StarTrek'' has [[spoiler: Vulcan be destroyed, rendering Spock, along with the few thousands of surviving Vulcans, an EndangeredSpecies. Although, interestingly, Spock himself is ''not'' unique.]]

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* ''Film/StarTrek'' ''Film/StarTrek2009'' has [[spoiler: Vulcan be destroyed, rendering Spock, along with the few thousands of surviving Vulcans, an EndangeredSpecies. Although, interestingly, Spock himself is ''not'' unique.]]

* Once Cylons in ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' lost the ability to resurrect, killing them got a ''lot'' more meaningful. Also, the Final Five (and Three after she was unboxed, as the page quote shows) are individuals, designed most of the Cylon tech, and know the way to Earth, making them some of the most unique and valuable people in existence.

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* Once Cylons in ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' lost the ability to resurrect, killing them got a ''lot'' more meaningful. Also, the Final Five (and Three after she was unboxed, as the page quote shows) are individuals, designed most of the Cylon tech, and know the way to Earth, making them some of the most unique and valuable people in existence.

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason: No longer relevant, as page quote is from Star Trek

* In ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', the Gems' FantasticCasteSystem appears to at least partially run on this. Rarer Gem-types--such as [[{{Seers}} Sapphires]]--rank higher than more common Gem-types--such as [[{{Mooks}} Rubies]] and [[ServantRace Pearls]]. Ranking above them all are the Diamonds--of which only three are known to exist. [[spoiler: Formerly four]].

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* In ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'', the Gems' FantasticCasteSystem appears to at least partially run on this. Rarer Gem-types--such as [[{{Seers}} Sapphires]]--rank higher than more common Gem-types--such as [[{{Mooks}} Rubies]] and [[ServantRace Pearls]]. Ranking above them all are the Diamonds--of which only three are known to exist. [[spoiler: Formerly four]].four]]

Added DiffLines:

* Naturally-formed diamonds more valuable in jewellery than synthetic ones owing in part to the tiny little imperfections in them that simply can't be replicated artificially. Corrupt jewelers have even been caught swapping natural diamonds of jewellery they've been commissioned to repair or clean with identical artificial ones to make a little extra profit on the side.

* There are implications throughout the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' anime that Ash's Pikachu is overly strong for its species [[DependingOnTheWriter (well, usually, ignore a certain Snivy)]], such as its tendency to defeat various Raichu (it's evolution that logically should be a stronger version of itself), and Team Rocket's statement in a early episode that it's "way beyond it's evolutionary level," which is why they start following Ash around for the entire series and repetitively trying to steal it. It's also one of the few Pokemon shown that dislike Pokeballs.

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* There are implications throughout the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' anime that Ash's Pikachu is overly strong for its species [[DependingOnTheWriter (well, usually, ignore a certain Snivy)]], such as its tendency to defeat various Raichu (it's (its evolution that logically should be a stronger version of itself), and Team Rocket's statement in a early episode that it's "way beyond it's its evolutionary level," which is why they start following Ash around for the entire series and repetitively trying to steal it. It's also one of the few Pokemon shown that dislike Pokeballs.

* In ''Webcomic/TheWotch,'' the Unicarn demon is the last of it's kind, because as a child, it wiped out the rest of its people. [[EnfanteTerrible As a child.]] When he grew up, he REALLY started to regret that...

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* In ''Webcomic/TheWotch,'' the Unicarn demon is the last of it's its kind, because as a child, it wiped out the rest of its people. [[EnfanteTerrible As a child.]] When he grew up, he REALLY started to regret that...

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or AI's]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all clones and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

to:

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or AI's]]...[=AIs=]]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all clones and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

* There are implications throughout the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' anime that Ash's Pikachu is overly strong for it's species [[DependingOnTheWriter (well, usually, ignore a certain Snivy)]], such as it's tendency to defeat various Raichu (it's evolution that logically should be a stronger version of itself), and Team Rocket's statement in a early episode that it's "way beyond it's evolutionary level," which is why they start following Ash around for the entire series and repetitively trying to steal it. It's also one of the few Pokemon shown that dislike Pokeballs.

to:

* There are implications throughout the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' anime that Ash's Pikachu is overly strong for it's its species [[DependingOnTheWriter (well, usually, ignore a certain Snivy)]], such as it's its tendency to defeat various Raichu (it's evolution that logically should be a stronger version of itself), and Team Rocket's statement in a early episode that it's "way beyond it's evolutionary level," which is why they start following Ash around for the entire series and repetitively trying to steal it. It's also one of the few Pokemon shown that dislike Pokeballs.

* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Kaiba Gunrai seeks out the unique all the time and spend much in the way of time and money in this pursuit. It's part of his eternal hobby. Except, he ''hates'' unique things. Unique things can't be mass produced and commoditized and thus they represent something outside of his sphere of influence. He seeks unique things so that he can copy them and thus strip them of their unique status. [[spoiler: This is why he seeks out Annala, who has been TouchedByVorlons and thus unique in all of creation.]]

to:

* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Kaiba Gunrai seeks out the unique all the time and spend spends much in the way of time and money in this pursuit. It's part of his eternal hobby. Except, he ''hates'' unique things. Unique things can't be mass produced and commoditized and thus they represent something outside of his sphere of influence. He seeks unique things so that he can copy them and thus strip them of their unique status. [[spoiler: This is why he seeks out Annala, who has been TouchedByVorlons and thus unique in all of creation.]]

** The Doctor is the last Time Lord (Sometimes). Oddly enough the Doctor is probably the least powerful of his race, as he uses [[TimeyWimeyBall a TARDIS that was old when he will first stole it a hundreds of years ago]], and a few other assorted trinkets. Considering the Time Lords provide the page quote for AbusingTheKardashevScaleForFunAndProfit, he's positively roughing it. He's probably smarter than the rest of his people though, and he was already unique by being willing to do something about all the evil in the universe, rather than just watch.

to:

** The Doctor is the last Time Lord (Sometimes). Oddly enough the Doctor is probably the least powerful of his race, as he uses [[TimeyWimeyBall a TARDIS that was old when he will first stole it a hundreds of years ago]], and a few other assorted trinkets. Considering the Time Lords provide the page quote for AbusingTheKardashevScaleForFunAndProfit, JustForFun/AbusingTheKardashevScaleForFunAndProfit, he's positively roughing it. He's probably smarter than the rest of his people though, and he was already unique by being willing to do something about all the evil in the universe, rather than just watch.

[[folder:Anime]]* There are implications throughout the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' anime that Ash's Pikachu is overly strong for it's species [[DependingOnTheWriter (well, usually, ignore a certain Snivy)]], such as it's tendency to defeat various Raichu (it's evolution that logically should be a stronger version of itself), and Team Rocket's statement in a early episode that it's "way beyond it's evolutionary level," which is why they start following Ash around for the entire series and repetitively trying to steal it. It's also one of the few Pokemon shown that dislike Pokeballs.** Meowth is the only Pokemon shown that physically taught himself to talk. All the rare Pokemon shown thus far that can talk do it naturally through telepathy. He also taught himself to stand on his hind legs, and does evil of his own accord and not for a master, which [[AlwaysLawfulGood is rare for a Pokemon.]] (These last two traits were eventually {{Retcon}}ned to not be so special anymore.)[[/folder]]

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or AI's]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all [[CloningBlues clones]] and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

to:

Maybe this is why both characters, readers, and the author place so much sympathy and interest in these characters. FacelessMooks may [[WhatMeasureIsAMook die and be killed by the dozens without anyone batting an eyelid]], but the hero will try to spare [[BigBad their boss]] who is The Last Atlantean Wizard. [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman No one cares about destroying robots or AI's]]... unless they they have a unique and interesting personality. Or say there's a race of goo-people who are all [[CloningBlues clones]] clones and part of a HiveMind? [[ImmortalLifeIsCheap Finding ways to toast them would become a TV-show.]]

* In ''[[Literature/AcornaSeries Acorna, The Unicorn Girl]]'', Acorna was coveted by Hafiz, a collector all things rare and unique. And he was prepared to kidnap her from her three adoptive "uncles" (one of whom was Hafiz's own nephew and heir, Rafiz). He loses said desire when it's discovered that Acorna wasn't a singular specimen, but a member of an alien race.

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* In ''[[Literature/AcornaSeries Acorna, ''Literature/AcornaSeries Acorna - The Unicorn Girl]]'', Girl'', Acorna was coveted by Hafiz, a collector all things rare and unique. And he was prepared to kidnap her from her three adoptive "uncles" (one of whom was Hafiz's own nephew and heir, Rafiz). He loses said desire when it's discovered that Acorna wasn't a singular specimen, but a member of an alien race.

*''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Kaiba Gunrai seeks out the unique all the time and spend much in the way of time and money in this pursuit. It's part of his eternal hobby. Except, he ''hates'' unique things. Unique things can't be mass produced and commoditized and thus they represent something outside of his sphere of influence. He seeks unique things so that he can copy them and thus strip them of their unique status. [[spoiler: This is why he seeks out Annala, who has been TouchedByVorlons and thus unique in all of creation.]]

** The Doctor is the last Time Lord (Sometimes). Oddly enough the Doctor is probably the least powerful of his race, as he uses [[TimeyWimeyBall a TARDIS that was old when he will first steal it a few hundred years ago]], and a few other assorted trinkets. Considering the Time Lords provide the page quote for AbusingTheKardashevScaleForFunAndProfit, he's positively roughing it. He's probably smarter than the rest of his people though, and he was already unique by being willing to do something about all the evil in the universe, rather than just watch.** The various alien species who are in genuinely desperate straits, but whose plan to save their species inevitably requires human deaths may invoke this trope. For example, in ''The Vampires Of Venice'' the monster of the week needs to destroy Renaissance Venice to save her people. The fact that the Doctor inevitably chooses to doom a sapient species to extinction rather than sacrifice a relatively small number of humans is commented on as evidence of his favouritism towards humanity.

to:

** The Doctor is the last Time Lord (Sometimes). Oddly enough the Doctor is probably the least powerful of his race, as he uses [[TimeyWimeyBall a TARDIS that was old when he will first steal stole it a few hundred hundreds of years ago]], and a few other assorted trinkets. Considering the Time Lords provide the page quote for AbusingTheKardashevScaleForFunAndProfit, he's positively roughing it. He's probably smarter than the rest of his people though, and he was already unique by being willing to do something about all the evil in the universe, rather than just watch.** The various alien species who are in genuinely desperate straits, but whose plan to save their species inevitably requires human deaths may invoke this trope. For example, in ''The Vampires Of Venice'' the monster of the week needs to destroy Renaissance Venice to save her people. The fact that the Doctor inevitably chooses to doom a sapient species to extinction rather than sacrifice a relatively small number of humans is commented on as evidence of his favouritism towards humanity.humanity (rather then, say, stopping an EvilPlan).

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